Nepal CMC Recognized for Innovative Use of Cheap and Simple Technologies
22-08-2005 (New Delhi)
The founder and coordinator of a UNESCO-supported community multimedia centre in Nepal was recently recognized for his contribution in disseminating information to society by innovatively using simple and cheap audiovisual technology.
"News about the award came as a big surprise to me. I am proud and happy to have won this award on behalf of the Tansen CMC. My family has been working in the communication field for over two decades now. This is the first national recognition that I have ever received," said Mahesh Ratna Shakya after receiving the award from the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, an independent apex body established in 1982 to promote science and technology in the country.
Community multimedia facilities were established in early 2003 by Communication for Development Palpa, a local non-profit organization in Tansen, headquarters of the Palpa District in Western Nepal. The CMC combines new technologies such as computers, Internet, CD-ROMs and specialized software applications with video production facilities and a local cable TV network.
In the past two years, the Tansen CMC has worked with over 350 local users. New skills and facilities allow local community participants to use a mixture of technologies to create new media content and programming for a local cable TV channel. The majority of trainees and participants are from poor and traditionally marginalized groups. Trained volunteers are the driving force behind local TV production and new skills have enabled a handful of participants to find employment and earn income from video services, especially in shooting and editing wedding footage.
The CMC recently launched its own local channel featuring a daily local cultural music programme and entertainment shows. The CMC’s flagship production is 'The Local Programme', a twice-weekly, ninety-minute magazine of youth features, community events, local activities and folk and pop segments.
Twice a month, the channel also features TV Internet Browsing, which combines information and visuals from the Internet with local interviews and footage. Hosts surf the web on camera with local guest experts, simultaneously translating and interpreting Internet-sourced information for local viewers. The audience can request particular topics and websites, essentially allowing them to surf the Internet at home on their television sets. The twin aims of the programme are to provide viewers with web-based information and to provide, what is for many, their first exposure to new information and communication technologies.
Though faced with many challenges, among them financial sustainability, organizational development and poor connectivity, the Tansen CMC is full of innovative and creative ideas. “The award has not only brought confidence to my team and me, but also encourages us to work harder to bring social changes at the community level by using ICTs," said Mahesh Ratna Shakya.
The Tansen Community Media Centre was established in April 2003 in order to provide access to media/ICT skills and facilities for poor youth. CMCs have also been established in Rupandehi district and Madanpokhara and can combine new technologies like the Internet and CD-ROM with traditional media like community radio and TV. Other CMCs have been established in Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka as well as in numerous countries in Africa and the Caribbean.
Community multimedia facilities were established in early 2003 by Communication for Development Palpa, a local non-profit organization in Tansen, headquarters of the Palpa District in Western Nepal. The CMC combines new technologies such as computers, Internet, CD-ROMs and specialized software applications with video production facilities and a local cable TV network.
In the past two years, the Tansen CMC has worked with over 350 local users. New skills and facilities allow local community participants to use a mixture of technologies to create new media content and programming for a local cable TV channel. The majority of trainees and participants are from poor and traditionally marginalized groups. Trained volunteers are the driving force behind local TV production and new skills have enabled a handful of participants to find employment and earn income from video services, especially in shooting and editing wedding footage.
The CMC recently launched its own local channel featuring a daily local cultural music programme and entertainment shows. The CMC’s flagship production is 'The Local Programme', a twice-weekly, ninety-minute magazine of youth features, community events, local activities and folk and pop segments.
Twice a month, the channel also features TV Internet Browsing, which combines information and visuals from the Internet with local interviews and footage. Hosts surf the web on camera with local guest experts, simultaneously translating and interpreting Internet-sourced information for local viewers. The audience can request particular topics and websites, essentially allowing them to surf the Internet at home on their television sets. The twin aims of the programme are to provide viewers with web-based information and to provide, what is for many, their first exposure to new information and communication technologies.
Though faced with many challenges, among them financial sustainability, organizational development and poor connectivity, the Tansen CMC is full of innovative and creative ideas. “The award has not only brought confidence to my team and me, but also encourages us to work harder to bring social changes at the community level by using ICTs," said Mahesh Ratna Shakya.
The Tansen Community Media Centre was established in April 2003 in order to provide access to media/ICT skills and facilities for poor youth. CMCs have also been established in Rupandehi district and Madanpokhara and can combine new technologies like the Internet and CD-ROM with traditional media like community radio and TV. Other CMCs have been established in Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka as well as in numerous countries in Africa and the Caribbean.
Related themes/countries
· News Archives 2005
· Nepal: News Archive 2005
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